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Fire yesterday gutted part of the main building of the National Assembly complex. The timely intervention of men of the National Assembly Fire Service save the situation from escalating.
An eye witness told our correspondent that the fire started at the office of the Secretary to the Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA) on the third floor at about 1pm.
He said that the heavy smoke bellowing from the CNA's office attracted the attention of an official who quickly raised the alarm.
He said the official quickly contacted men of the fire services who rushed to the scene and struggled to put it out before serious damage could be done.
Although the cause of the fire outbreak could not be immediately ascertained, it was suspected that it resulted from electrical spark.
One of the fire fighters who participated in putting out the fire said: "When we got there the whole place was covered by smoke; we could not find our way through easily. Apart from that, there was nobody to bring the keys and open the offices for us to move in.
"We were just there struggling to see how we could enter until one of us forced one door open.
When our correspondent visited the place around 6pm the Chief Security of the National Assembly Col. Emeka Okere (rtd) and his assistants were prevented from entering the building.
Officers of the fire service were also there trying to mop the water used in quenching the fire.
The fire fighting lorry used in putting out the fire with registration number, NASS FL 278 Mgt was stationed in front of the National Assembly main building.
The entire Eagle Square leading into the National Assembly was cordoned off by security operatives drawn from the Army, Police, Directorate of State Security (DSS), Civil defence. Directorate of Traffic Service (VIO) and the Federal Road Sefety Corps.
The Eagle Square was already being prepared for a special parade to mark the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
The Nation